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Tutor : A trained actuarial scientist turned private tutor
16 Plays1 year ago
Working in Canada but spending the summer in Asia, we are excited to introduce Benny to you, a private tutor. With a passion for helping those struggling, he has built a business around supporting students and achieving a work-life balance.
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Transcript
Introduction to A to Z Jobs Podcast
00:00:05
Speaker
Welcome to A to Z Jobs, the podcast that delves into the fascinating world of careers, one profession at a time. In each episode, we'll deep dive into a specific profession, exploring its history, requirements, challenges and rewards. So get ready to expand your horizons, challenge your perceptions and discover a world of possibilities. I'm Roxy. And I'm Nate. And we're excited to host you on this journey.
Benny's Journey into Tutoring
00:00:28
Speaker
Working in Canada, but spending summer in Asia, we are excited to introduce Benny to you, a private tutor with a passion for helping those struggling. He has built a business around supporting students and achieving a work-life balance. Welcome, Benny. Thank you for coming on our podcast. Hello. As I like to do with every podcast, let's dive straight in and find out what you do for a living.
00:00:52
Speaker
Awesome. So right now I am a private tutor, specifically for anyone pretty much in grade like seven to 12 that range. And then I do sometimes do a little bit for elementary school, so one to six as well, and a little bit of intro university courses as well too. Wow. And what kind of classes do you teach?
00:01:19
Speaker
usually preferably for myself so that I don't have to do too much prep would be math, but I can definitely do any other sciences as well too. Specifically chem and physics would be preferable, but bio would be like, I don't know what I'm doing. I was like, let's study together type of thing. It's always a good way. So math is one of your favorites then. How did you get into it?
00:01:48
Speaker
Absolutely. Being, you know, the typical Asian student over here used to be really good at math back in high school anyways, and also university as well, because my major in university is actually statistics and actual science. So hence the math roots.
00:02:07
Speaker
You can tell. So that's why I stick with math. Yeah, just fall in love with tutoring and all those things like that as well too. Did it all throughout university as well. So I've been tutoring since then, but just for the past couple of years, been getting into it full-time instead of just doing it part-time all throughout.
00:02:27
Speaker
I'm really fascinated with actuarial science. My father actually trained to be an actuarial scientist, never took his last exam because he decided it was too boring for him.
00:02:38
Speaker
I can totally relate, unfortunately. Is that one of the reasons you didn't go into it?
From Actuarial Science to Teaching
00:02:47
Speaker
Yeah, because after that degree, I actually did have an office job for a little bit. It's kind of like almost like an internship summer office job type of thing.
00:02:58
Speaker
So they just need someone to do quick data entry, didn't even do any analysis. It was just like quick calculation and all those things like that. That's related to actual science, but it was just literally punching a number every day.
00:03:12
Speaker
And that's it. And just let it run. Put it in the equation, let it run. And then type in numbers again after that. That was not the most exciting job ever. If you need money, go for it. But I don't even think there's this type of job anymore nowadays because everything is like you can write it in a code or something like that that you could like just spits it out. So yeah.
00:03:40
Speaker
It used to be one of the highest paid jobs in the world, right? It is, yeah. It's amazing. So, you know, what brought you back to teaching?
00:03:51
Speaker
So after my stat in natural science degree, after that little job, I went into education right away, actually. I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a kid, just because I do love teaching. I do love sharing knowledge. Back in the days, I was really controlling. I just want to control people. So that's why I love teaching. But
00:04:15
Speaker
After doing practicum and all those things like that, I was like, you know what, I really do enjoy teaching. I do prefer having like doing a tutoring instead of teaching in a classroom after that student teaching was done, my practicum and all those things like that. Just because I what I see in a classroom when I was doing my practicum, it was seeing people who were falling behind in the course or the class.
00:04:44
Speaker
But I can't really stop the whole entire class to help them at all. So I feel bad for them. But at the same time, I'm like, okay, I need to move on. But I can't bring them along because they still suck on something before. So it was kind of frustrating for me in a sense that like, okay, I can't really move on and just forget someone. And unfortunately, that student is continue going to be stuck there. And
00:05:14
Speaker
That's why sometimes some teachers, I feel bad for them as well nowadays. It's like, well, they have to keep going because the curriculum is jet-packed. But there's a student who always needs that extra help.
Challenges in Classroom Teaching
00:05:26
Speaker
And they can't really do that in a sense that they could get them to come in for lunch. But let's be realistic. How many of us, when we're a student, will come in for lunch for extra help in any subject at all, right? So far away your exams are, I think.
00:05:44
Speaker
Exactly. And when we were like in high school, we're like, it should be fine. Well, we'll do it after. And then it's like the night of saying, Oh, I never figured out okay.
00:05:58
Speaker
So yeah, so yeah, that's why I really wanted to get into like private tutoring like to help people to kind of like Pick them back up where they they dropped or fall or anything like that and I just keep going on from there Yeah working as you saying you're saying private shooter a lot So does that mean you're you're finding your own clients? You're running your own your own business rather than being part of an agency. Is that how private tutoring works?
00:06:24
Speaker
Correct. Yeah. So I did actually went through part of an agency, so to speak. There's a lot of tutoring company everywhere. I would say like specifically in Canada, there's lots of little company to start up by someone like me that I was like, okay, I will hire a few tutoring. I'll do the marketing for them and then gather people like that. So I've been with a couple of them bosses are
00:06:52
Speaker
you know, they varies, good and bad. So that's why I'm like, you know what, if they can do it, I could do, I could try something like that as well too, because a lot of parents end up to like just recommending me like five word of mouth and then just going from there. And plus with my education degree, I know some school as well too, so I can ask them, ask some of the teacher in there that, hey, does any of your student
00:07:21
Speaker
you know, need some tutoring or you find some that are left behind in your class, like you could recommend them to go through tutoring, blah, blah, blah, blah, things like that as well, too. So what's day to day for you then?
Managing a Tutoring Business
00:07:34
Speaker
You're doing this full time now and what sort of tasks do you need to do to make this a successful career? Yes. So for me, it difference between season to season. So summertime,
00:07:49
Speaker
I have nothing to do pretty much. Not really a lot of people will do tutoring, especially in Canada, let's just say. Hong Kong is a little bit different environment. Well, we'll not talk about that. They get a little intense, let's just say.
00:08:07
Speaker
But in Canada, like no one really do tutoring, they might have some summer courses from time to time. So I might apply to be a TA like a teacher assistant for those summer courses for some professor or for some other teacher that
00:08:24
Speaker
teaching some of the courses that they might need help with or something like that. But usually towards September when school starts. So in Canada, our semesters goes from September to January, to like end of January, and then February to June. Yeah, end of June.
00:08:45
Speaker
So in September, usually first month, pretty free, nothing much going on. That's when I start doing my marketing. That's when I start updating all my LinkedIn or any other online promoting website that I could put in like my name out there, start contacting schools, starting like to promote myself doing that way. Of course, I don't get paid for that.
00:09:10
Speaker
at all. But those are the those are the legwork. I caught the legwork month. That's where I kind of like pushing it over there as well, too. Same thing in February as well, too. And February is usually a little bit easier just because some of the courses are the whole year. So I don't really need to do as much. But but yeah, but sometimes I still do because the course and it's like, oh, you batch of student that I need to gather and find.
00:09:39
Speaker
Do you get stability out of it? Do you have students that will sign up? It's weak, so you build a roster around it, or is it more ad hoc type work that you have to do?
00:09:51
Speaker
So for me, I do have students that, um, once a week type of thing. So, which is pretty, pretty steady for the whole entire semester type of thing. And then if they have like major project, they usually, Hey, can you come in extra? Which I was like, sure. So that's when I get the extra hour in. And then same thing with exam time and all those things like that. So I guess I should finish that.
00:10:14
Speaker
the everyday question for the day to day. So usually in January, where we call it diploma, which is the exam that all grade 9s and grade 12s need to write. So it's like a government exam. So the marks required for to go into university, et cetera, those type of things. So that's when my busiest month usually comes in is that I sometimes might work over 40 hours a week just tutoring for that month.
00:10:45
Speaker
Same thing with June. So January and June is usually my busiest month. That's when I kind of bank my summer. So since summer I have nothing going on. And that's when I usually bank those two months in order to kind of like make sure I'm financially kind of stable and go from there as well too.
00:11:01
Speaker
But so if I have to say though, sometimes it's not as the most stable job on earth, just because you never know. Yeah, some some months you might you might be like, hey, I have no student, especially in September, like people are just starting, they don't know their kids need tutoring yet. So
00:11:23
Speaker
usually won't pick up until October and things like that as well, too, until they feel like, huh, first report card come out, slowly falling behind. Uh-oh. That's when parents are saying, hey, yeah, need to find this person or something like that. And I do have students where they come back to me every year type of thing whenever they have some courses. So that's good for three years until they graduate.
00:11:51
Speaker
And then I do find a new batch as well too. But parents have been really kind to me. They spread my name a little bit more. And same thing with friends, colleagues that I've worked with in the office before as well. They know I tutor and they're like, hey, if you need tutoring, like, ask Penny over there.
00:12:10
Speaker
So it's been pretty good. So I'm quite fortunate and thankful for my friends and colleagues for that. And what about, so you mentioned getting financially stable. So talking of finances, do you have an accountant to help you or do you do all your own finances and your invoicing? Ew, I do it all solo. I love controlling things, remember? And you're good at math.
00:12:37
Speaker
Yeah. At the same time, it's like, of course, using like Excel or something like simple like that. It's quite simple. Like once you set it up once, you can use the same template for all the other students and all those things like that. So again, it's like the initial move, like kind of like my initial month where I have to set up everything. That's the most difficult part. But other than that, you know, it's it's quite easy once you get it all down. It's like, OK, I need this. I need to record this. I need to record that. And then
00:13:07
Speaker
If parents need to see anything, I'm like, I'll send you that file. Here you go. Are you feeling inspired by everything you've learned so far? Keep that momentum going with our four-part Career Change Made Easy course. Dive deeper at thecareerchangecoaches.com. Now enjoy the rest of the podcast. So you're based in Canada at the moment.
00:13:37
Speaker
Yes, that's correct. I am in Hong Kong right now, just visiting family though. And especially like it's summer, I have nothing to do. And that's why I was like, okay, I like this. I have that flexibility to do it as well too. So that's why it's really good. It's kind of like teachers in the summer that they have the summer off. Yes, they need to prep and all those things like that. They don't get the whole entire summer off, but I'm a little bit more fortunate that I get the whole summer off plus a little bit more.
00:14:08
Speaker
So how did you get started in all of this?
Origins of Benny's Tutoring Career
00:14:12
Speaker
So, well, I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a kid. But at the same time, how did I start it was just helping friends in like off-road high school. I was the go-to. My friends are like, don't get this penny.
00:14:28
Speaker
How do you do this? Benny, can you come over here and help me? So that's kind of like how it really started. And I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah. I can help you. I have no problem explaining things. And it actually helps me quite a bit to help me explain things better. I wasn't the best at explaining back in the day. So thank you for my peer students that helped me, that tolerated me, and getting angry at them. It's like, why don't you get this?
00:14:59
Speaker
But yeah, but now they're really good. And yeah, that's how I get it started. And yeah, any university that I heard some of my friends have like, they're like, Hey, are you thinking of like joining tutoring company or anything like that? And they're like, I was like, yeah, sure. Why not? An extra 20, $20 here and there.
00:15:21
Speaker
for like an extra meal or something. Why not, right? So that's how I just get the ball started. So to speak, yeah, I started in university, I would say. Brilliant. What companies did you start with? So small, tiny one, friend of a friend type of company.
00:15:40
Speaker
So, small, tiny one. I didn't go-fu, like, I don't know if you have it where you are, Kumon or something like that. I know they're big in a lot of places in Canada and US are big for that. They're like math tutoring company, like they're huge. They're widely known, they're on TV and everything like that. But yeah, no, it was just friends. Friend of a friend know this company, small, tiny one.
00:16:07
Speaker
That's quite nice. Something personal. I've seen a lot of them, you know, the guys with the orange shirts and VIP kit, but that's teaching English and there's that whole realm of teaching English and all the classes you can do in the online training for all of that.
00:16:23
Speaker
But yeah, I remember being in high school in the Caribbean and just seeing the adverts as the people in the purple shirts, the tutors, I can't remember what they're called. But yeah, the big companies. They get a little intense. I feel like they're like, okay, you have to stick with that curriculum. You have to move at a certain speed and all those things like that. And I'm like, okay, that's
00:16:45
Speaker
similar to what I went through in a classroom, which is what I was trying to avoid in the first place anyways. So I was just like, yeah, I don't want to go to big companies like that. I actually interviewed for a few of them before as well, too. And then I tried to ask them like, hey, like, what happened when someone fall behind? Like, what do you what do you all do? Like, do you do you pull them aside and recommend like,
00:17:13
Speaker
extra extra time or anything like that. They're like, no, you got to move forward. I'm like, so what's the point of them coming to your company, trying to get help and they're not getting the help that they should get? Like, like, what if what happened? And they're like,
00:17:31
Speaker
Well, then we'll talk to the parents about it. I'm like, okay, no, that's not. I was like, oh, like, that's not how you do it. In my opinion, at least they, they have their own, you know, way of doing things, which is like all power to them. But like, that's not where I want it to be for like, to help other kids and other people like that.
00:17:54
Speaker
It's not what was driving you, you know, you're there for the people that are stuck and they need support and that one-on-one and to be told everything in a million different ways without the rrrr. Exactly. You've really gone through it all. Exactly. It's kind of like, huh, did you not understand what I mean for like, I want to help them?
00:18:19
Speaker
So with your journey then, so you were doing a little bit of tutoring, you were going down a different path and then you circled back, you know, that's actually what I wanna do.
Networking and Building Relationships in Tutoring
00:18:27
Speaker
If you could go back and you were gonna do it again, knowing what your destination was, could you do it faster and what advice would give to someone trying to get to that private tutoring space faster? Ooh, that's a great question. So for me, I would say work on your networking skills.
00:18:48
Speaker
That was something that I find that was quite important for me. Because at first I was like, oh, I don't need to do networking. I'll just get students somehow. They will just fly to me yet. They don't do that. Students just don't drop on your lap, unfortunately. No jobs do that in the world. Anyone that's listening, no jobs do that. You need to work for it, okay? Put effort in, you need to work for it.
00:19:16
Speaker
And yeah, networking is really important. Like no matter, for me specifically, going to school to network was really, was really the game changer for me. Is that like them knowing who you are, talk to the math department or anything like that, they might not talk to you some
00:19:35
Speaker
department might be like, who are you? I don't know you. But like, once you get to know them, it's great. Thankfully for my student teaching that I do already have that kind of leg in the door for like two or three school for that, which is fantastic. And then with my colleagues who was in education as well, so I can get in there to their school that they placed in and then go network from there as well too, which was
00:20:02
Speaker
Definitely, definitely a blessing for me for that. And then, yeah, just talk to the parents as well, too. That's the best way as well, too, because sometimes they might not talk to the school because nowadays a lot of parents don't really trust the school system that well. So they trust each other, which is, you know,
00:20:21
Speaker
um, solutions seeking for themselves, which is always great. And then that word of mine was really, really, really beneficial for me as well too. So that's why I always, after lesson, I always talk to the parents like, Hey, how's it going? Like, this is what we did. This is what's going on. Some of them was like, you don't need to tell me all these, but I'm like, but you should know all these. Let me talk to you.
00:20:43
Speaker
and then they know kind of like you actually really care about what you do and then you're actually trying to make progress instead of like hey I'm just here to to do my job and then leave and that's it so yeah it's networking was biggest thing for me I would say
00:20:59
Speaker
I think we're at like seven or eight podcasts now and almost everybody we've accounted to has said networking, mentoring. That's how you get further faster. So it's cool to hear that. And I suppose to follow up on that then, as you were learning these skills, how did you get the confidence to do it? Because a lot of people are too scared to start up that conversation with someone. Did you always naturally talk or can you just talk to anyone or did you have to build up to that space? Absolutely not.
00:21:31
Speaker
Absolutely. Believe it or not, I'm a really shy person over here. I'm the extroverted introvert. Is that the term that's what they say nowadays? But yeah, a little bit more background is that I did retail back in the days when I was in university as well. So that helped me come out of my shell quite a bit. So also networking and customer service. Anyone just do customer service as well, too. You'll understand a lot more things going on.
00:21:59
Speaker
And you'll be a lot more people person than other people. But yeah, no, just try your best to talk to other people. Treat them how they want to be treated, I would say. Because just know that everyone's boundary is different and all those things like that. So how you want to be treated might not be their boundary. So really listening to other people.
00:22:23
Speaker
You yourself don't need to say a lot. Sometimes just listen. Listen to what they want, what their needs are, and see if you could provide what they ask for, what they need and wants are.
00:22:36
Speaker
That's the biggest thing. And just follow back on the networking part. It's like some, one of the things that I really love from one of my friends is that it's not about what you know, it's about who you know sometimes because that's how you connect with other people. And our business with tutoring, you need people. You can't just do it yourself. It's not facing the computer every day. So you need to have that connection with other people.
00:23:06
Speaker
sorry i'm a little bit jumping everywhere but yeah it makes perfect sense especially in a family community you know i've got a one year old now and i think just watching the way that i've changed the way that i keep thinking i i trust other parents over all else and we go to the same
00:23:27
Speaker
you know, book babies or groups or we go to the same doctors because someone else has put it forward rather than even the midwife or the nurse that's told me so. I'd rather do it if Helen, my friend, told me so, if that makes sense. So it is very much word of mouth in a family environment.
00:23:44
Speaker
Absolutely. Even it's like, oh, you hear someone say, hey, have you tried this medicine that that I use, blah, blah, blah. Simple as that, right? It's like, hey, have you tried like this method? Have you tried essential oil, blah, blah, blah, whatever it might be? It's like they always have something. Everyone is a doctor. If you say you're sick, someone was always say, hey, have you tried this? I was like, oh, gosh. So it is very much working on that personal branding so that you are a household
00:24:16
Speaker
So what's your favorite thing about your job? Favorite thing about my job?
00:24:26
Speaker
The student coming out, well, this doesn't happen often. I'll preface that first. The student coming out and say that, hey, this is actually really easy, and I actually like this, does not happen often. Okay, preface again, does not happen often at all. But once in a while, you'll say, a student's like, yes, I was actually thinking too much, or yes, I was actually doing this wrong. Admitting to their mistakes at first,
00:24:55
Speaker
big huge step because everyone have this prize like I'll need tutoring I know how to do this or etc something along that line so it's neat to see them like kind of coming out of the shell it's like okay well the willingness to learn kind of comes out and everything like that so they they're like okay yeah maybe I was doing a wrong method back then let me try it your way or let me try differently and they actually try starting to think differently
00:25:23
Speaker
and starting to learn and starting to cope the method of like writing tests or even doing assignments or anything like that. Yeah, it's really, that's my favorite part is they actually trying something new, learning something new and not just stuck in one way of doing things, but like trying to explore different things, different method to do something as well too.
00:25:46
Speaker
I think if everybody did that, though, you wouldn't have a job, right?
Developing Students' Exam Skills
00:25:50
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. Well, there's a couple of students that I did teach that it's like they're like, yeah, I need help writing exams. I'm like, okay, I don't mind teaching them like the skills to just write the exams, because it's
00:26:03
Speaker
There is a skill to do that. Even multiple choice or even like long answer, long written answers, long question jokes type of thing. There is a skill to that. And I taught them, they're like, oh my gosh, it actually makes so much more sense. It was a long two hours that I did. I was like, oh my gosh, this is pulling teeth. But it was they actually they're like, you know what, I can apply this to any other subject. I'm like, yeah.
00:26:30
Speaker
Yes, you got this. Yeah, you can definitely apply the skills to any other subject or in the future as well, too. So I was really happy that they got this and they're like, yeah, I don't really need you anymore. They didn't say that, but they kind of implied it. But they were really happy. I still kept in contact with some of them. So they're like, yeah, I'm like, OK, that's good. That's good. And what about what about the flip side? What about the negatives? What's what's your least favorite thing about it?
Managing Expectations in Tutoring
00:27:02
Speaker
um believe it or not the parents it's a little bit difficult sometimes um just with the parents they might not know what they really want or they might not know what the kids really need and things like that so they try to control your session it's like oh why don't you teach it this way i'm like why aren't you teaching it yourself then
00:27:26
Speaker
Immediately in my mind, I didn't say it out loud, but I really want to say it. It's like, if you're telling me what to do, why don't you do it? Like, why are you paying me to do it? Like, why? What's going on? But it's kind of like, okay, then you let them know. It's like, let me try it this way and see how it goes. And then if it doesn't work, I'd be more than happy to do it your way. Things like that.
00:27:49
Speaker
But I remember there was one parent that was, it was so funny. It was during pandemic period, so.
00:27:58
Speaker
point we were like still masking and everything like that obviously and all those fun all those fun things. So there was his parents calling me first time never had me before they're like oh yeah I want to see if you can tutor my kid I'm like yeah absolutely. Do you want it to be online tutoring or in person like what would you prefer?
00:28:20
Speaker
because I was able to do online as well too. So she was like, wow, I don't think online works. I'm like, okay, I can do it in person. I can wear a mask at the comfort, at your comfort if you like or anything like that, or we can sit far apart. Let me know what you want. Like, well, I'm not really comfortable having you come to my house either. I'm like, so what do you want? So I'm like, okay, well, what about library or like a food court or something?
00:28:50
Speaker
I'm like, I'm willing to explore. I'm like, they're like, no, there's a lot of people there too. I'm like, honey, what would you like me to do? Like, I gave you all three different solutions, but I'm like, and I just pretty much say, um, so what would you like? Can you tell me what you like? And they're like, I'm not sure. I'm like,
00:29:17
Speaker
Well, here's the choices that I could offer and let me know. Think about it. You don't have to answer me right away. You have my number, blah, blah, blah. And then it's like, yeah, let me know. And it's kind of like, what happened? Like what happened? Did I just really have this conversation? And it wasn't ending. Did they sign up or did they, did you end up tutoring or not?
00:29:43
Speaker
No, I didn't end up hearing from them. They probably realized that they really contribute themselves or something. And I even told them, I'm willing to try any other solution that you might come up with or something like that. But yeah, just let me know. But yeah, nothing, unfortunately. And I was talking to some of my friends too. They're like, what is wrong with them?
00:30:06
Speaker
So I was like, okay, I'm good. I'm not the only crazy one that I'm like, sometimes you question yourself too, because it's like, am I doing it wrong? Cause I always like to self reflect. Cause every time there's a horrible session or something like that,
00:30:23
Speaker
Like is, can I do something different? Can I work on this? Is it my approach or is it just the person's attitude? Or just everyone's having a bad day and everything's horrible that day. It happens. So it's like, sometimes it is one of those, everything is horrible. Like, okay, we just have to kick that out. And then it's like, just have a reset.
00:30:46
Speaker
kind of day and and just go from there. I mean, you're providing a service and we're all human. There's going to be there's always going to be those days. Exactly. It's like everyone makes mistakes and it is what it is sometimes. You are dealing with people and sometimes they are the hardest things to deal with. And it's the truth. You know, you can have a day where you just have
00:31:10
Speaker
someone triggered the wrong way and it just doesn't go right. And it's really good that you do self reflect, but I hope you stay very positive with that because you know, I think
00:31:22
Speaker
me myself, I would have been like, oh my gosh, it was all me. Sometimes, sometimes yeah, you would like I'm a, I try not to spiral myself, but sometime it happens. Whereas like, Oh my gosh, everything's horrible. I did this wrong. I did that bad.
00:31:40
Speaker
And then it's like, okay, no, you have to take a step back. And then it's like, okay, let me redo this. And then let's set up a lesson plan instead and try to go from there and see. It's like, okay, I got this. Here's what we're going to do this time. And yeah. Yeah. And it's also setting those really good boundaries as well. You could have kept calling that mum or that dad.
00:32:03
Speaker
and kept saying, you know, this is what you can do, that is what you can do, and you had so much time and energy, and it just looked like they weren't willing to commit yet. So you gave them the options, you delegated the rest. And that's a brilliant way of looking at it, because it could be a tricky situation. And you've gone, well, I've done everything I can, tick, tick, tick.
00:32:22
Speaker
Next. Yeah, and sometimes it's like, and I always preface this with all the parents that I sort of interview with at first and tell them like, hey, you know what? You and I might be both amazing person, but we might not be a match. It's just as simple as that.
00:32:41
Speaker
You and I are fantastic. Like I'm sure you do all the housework, blah, blah, blah, and all those things like that. You get A's and all those things like that. And I get A's in something, but we might not be matched. We are people. We might not like each other and all those things like that. So it is okay. I tell them it's okay. If we try session, it doesn't work. Just let me know, know our feelings and all those things like that. And then it's like, don't, I know the last thing I want is to force something and make the kids suffer.
00:33:12
Speaker
So, and I always tell them that and they appreciate it as well too. And I have one or two that we're like, it's like, oh, it just doesn't go well. It's just, it's not happening. And we're like, yeah, let me refer you to someone else. And like, you're personally my match, this person better than me. It's just like, hey, you know what? Our personality clash is okay. Things happen in life. We just move on. And I was just like, yeah, it happens.
00:33:39
Speaker
Yeah, especially when you're teaching because you're offering something extra, right? You know, there are teachers in school that you click with and the teachers you don't and you know, the classes you sort of enjoy more and the subjects you start to enjoy more. So for something outside of school, it needs to be something that helps and moves it forward. And for you to identify that yourself is a really great
00:34:01
Speaker
way of being a tutor, I think. Thank you. I try to be humble. Thank you. So if you were to give any advice to anybody who wanted to start being a tutor and start this kind of industry, what advice would that be?
Advice for Aspiring Tutors
00:34:18
Speaker
Work hard.
00:34:20
Speaker
work hard. Keep your head down and then focus set a goal that you want to and focus on that. It is going to be a lot of work without pay at first, unfortunately. But at the same time, because you're your own boss, it does take a lot of discipline and motivation of yourself to kind of push yourself forward. There are days when I'm like, okay, I don't want to do this. I'm not
00:34:45
Speaker
motivated today and I just want to play video games and watch TV all day. I'm sorry, I don't like to do that. But at the same time, if you have it go started for that day, even though you have zero motivation, try to do 10 minutes of it.
00:35:00
Speaker
Time blocking is something that I learned that works for me really well. Might not work for everyone, but you could always try time blocking this hour no matter I have zero motivation or anything like that. I'm going to work on this task and just that one task.
00:35:19
Speaker
And then if I'm done, see if you can move forward or see if you want to, hey, early day, early day. And then it's just like, that's it. That's all for today. Because that's all you set out to do for that time, right? So time blocking helps. But yeah, any other advices.
00:35:38
Speaker
Talk to your peer. Get someone else to help you as well too. If you can't do it yourself, ask for help. It's okay. A lot of people out there are willing to help. Some are not, but there is also a lot of people that are willing to help out there. And yeah, friends get different advice, but also trust yourself because it is your business. You own this, you got this.
00:36:05
Speaker
It is definitely about building that network around you. So you taking that step into actual education and building that work in a school and then having your colleagues that then refer you. Do you go to any other networking events or any sort of school evenings or anything outside of that? Back then I did.
00:36:25
Speaker
I did go to Fuse back then, but not recently, to be honest. Not this past couple of years, just because, you know, the world was on fire a little bit for the past a little bit. So I haven't really got in touch with any of them. But yeah, usually I do try to go to like some new school opening or anything like that. But usually you can talk to a few principal here and there. But some are just too busy recruiting students and stuff like that. They might not have the time and things.
00:36:55
Speaker
Yeah, sometimes I just go there, hey, excuse me, I'm a tutor for this and this subject. I wanna see if I can network with you. Do you have the time? I always ask them for that first, or schedule an appointment, because that might not be their purpose of being there, but try, just try. You never know what you get. You might get a lot of no's, but you might get that one yes, that helps you open the door.
00:37:22
Speaker
there were doors everywhere trying different things open so many of them and it's amazing what can open a door that one student that refers you to other students that opens up families or you know yeah this small job that you take on not considering what that is and then ending up
Reflecting on Past Experiences
00:37:39
Speaker
at building and this idea of going into tutoring and all the connections in your life. I love to see how everybody's little steps in life all come back into a circle. So you in school teaching and then at uni and then all of that experiences build up to that humble Benny that's now a tutor. Try to be.
00:38:03
Speaker
You've already sort of heard a bit about your education and the journey you went through. Is there any particular degree or certificate or if you want to take this question a different way, is there any books or podcasts or is there any recommendation you have for education? There is a very old book that I used to use, but I never read it again.
00:38:30
Speaker
It's like there's always one book that you always read and it's like, oh yeah, that seems nice. And then you put it away.
00:38:37
Speaker
But unfortunately, I don't have too too many resources of that however Depends on where you are and depends on the country that you're from wherever you are Definitely definitely reach out to like the Board of Education that your country is there's always something on that website. There's always some curriculum showing you what's going on and all those things like that reach out to different school and
00:39:04
Speaker
That's where you're going to get your resources and all those things like that as well too. Unfortunately, I don't really have any podcasts or any books to recommend. But yeah, reach out to your previous teachers. I would say actually that might be a really good. They might have all the resources that you need. Honestly, they've been probably at that job for like years. So that's why they will be the one to reach out to as well too.
00:39:31
Speaker
You never know. Do you think doing university helps or do you think you could just do like a certificate or do you really think that university path is worthwhile? Let me think for a second that one. For mine, yes I know. Just because when I was there taking education it was
00:39:55
Speaker
interesting they were trying something new they were trying this inquiry based learning it's really nice you're trying to inquire everything it's like but they give us no direction which we're like what the heck are we supposed to do they're like here's the project have fun i'm like where's the guideline like what's going on like okay yes we're university student we're trying to be teacher but
00:40:24
Speaker
It's like, what are we supposed to do? What's this grading on and all those things like that? I think it put us in a mindset. It helps me in a way that they didn't expect. It's that they put us in a mindset where this is what student actually needs and wants, and they're not providing it. So this is what not to do.
00:40:49
Speaker
They gave me, they gave us and like a lot of my peers as well to you. They're like, yeah, we're not going to do that in our school. Like this is disaster. Like we'll get parents like telling us no, right up the wazoo. So.
00:41:05
Speaker
in a sense that helps what not to do. I think every experience is an experience no matter good or bad. It's just how you take it, right? Are you reflecting? It's like, so should I do this or should I not do this? Or can I modify this in order for it to work for me and how it could like help other people as well too in that sense. So I think it helps in that way. It helps my thinking to like,
00:41:34
Speaker
to provide better for other people in that sense to, yeah, to see not just spoon, spoon fed everything, but actually analyze and, and then, yeah. And then see what works and what doesn't. Teaching from experience, taking those steps and then getting people to step in your footprints so that, you know, you've made all the challenges, you've gone through everything.
00:42:04
Speaker
And you can now support somebody because you understand every side of it because you've circled the mountain. And it's kind of like taking back from my retail years too, because from retail, I work all the way from a sales associate all the way up to a general manager. So I've been through every step. So I sometimes like.
00:42:25
Speaker
Okay, what would they want? What would they kind of need from a GM? When I was down there, what did I need from my GM? So I kind of like switched that into my tutoring and say, okay, what do my student needs from me as a tutor? And what's the fastest way for me to give them what they want or get them there, achieve whatever goal that they might want and whatever goal that their parents need.
00:42:50
Speaker
have to achieve type of things. So yeah. How do you prepare for that? Because, you know, myself, I've been to school in South Africa, the Caribbean and the UK, and all three very different curriculums, very different schooling, very different atmosphere to prepare for big gaps in my learning that I had to pick up in every school I went to.
Adapting to Changing Curriculums
00:43:13
Speaker
How do you, from your background, did you study in Canada or did you pick that up? Yes, so I studied. I moved to Canada when I was in grade three, so pretty much study all the way through there. So it was an easy one for me. However, they do change curriculum every three to five years. So that's the fun part for me.
00:43:36
Speaker
So they always update it, but they are so vague with the curriculum. They're like, yeah, we want to teach them about this system.
00:43:45
Speaker
And that's it. They don't give any example. And then here's the textbook that we're going to use. And that's it. So pretty much the first year is always chaos, unfortunately, until the diploma comes out and then they have sample diploma. So I usually use that as a reference, kind of like what I need to teach them, what I need to prepare them. Um, even I take that as a grade 12 diploma, applying to my grade 10 is like, okay, how do I need, what do I need to set them up?
00:44:15
Speaker
to get there eventually type of thing so it's like what their foundation needs it's like you might not know this now but you'll need this in a two years time to to ace this if you don't solidify this foundation you're gonna pay for it in two years probably me hopefully
00:44:34
Speaker
You're going to pay me for it in two years time. But, um, but now they, um, yeah, so that's how I use it. Usually prepare for it. It's like looking at the curriculum, sometimes work, sometimes health usually doesn't because it's so vague, but that's when you take a look at like what textbook they might use this year. So then you could kind of look through them in a library. Don't buy one. Don't buy textbook. Y'all don't buy it. It's expensive. It's a scam. No, it's not bad. It is.
00:45:04
Speaker
But yeah, yeah. Or away from a library, your local library might have it. Or if not online, take a look at it and see what's for this year, what they have it. Once they update a third curriculum, they will for sure use a new textbook. So there's your chance from there on. So you're still learning as you go, still picking it all up.
00:45:33
Speaker
There's always new way of doing things as well too, even from like TikToks and all those things like that as well too. Sometimes I encounter like people teaching math live on TikTok, which I was like, oh, that's kind of interesting. And they were teaching different new method, doing multiplication. I'm not sure if anyone's seen it. Like it's like 13 times 23, for example, they actually draw different lines. So then it actually,
00:45:57
Speaker
do it really quickly. They literally have to count up the dots that they intersect with the line and that's how they found their solution. That's so cool. It's really fun. Yeah. Do you do anything on social media to try and build your client base? Right now, not.
00:46:13
Speaker
really, unfortunately. I should, but I haven't had the time to do it yet. But so far, it's just marketing on different LinkedIn sites, different Indeed, that's what we use in Canada. I'm sure some other parts of the world as well, too, that we provide our marketing from there on, and it's really useful from there.
00:46:36
Speaker
because usually parents might not look at TikTok. Just a thought. Some do. Don't get me wrong. Some do. But they might not look at TikTok for that, I guess. No, I don't even have TikToks. There you go. Don't do it. It's a trap. It's a time-waster trap. Don't do it.
Communication and Networking Skills
00:46:59
Speaker
So our last question is, do you have an inspirational quote that keeps you going, moves you forward, or is a pivotal point in your career? Well, the one I gave before, it's not about what you know, it's about who you know. I really like that one for to get you started for networking and all those things like that. But also, it's not about what you say, but how you say it.
00:47:28
Speaker
I think one of the biggest thing for no matter networking, no matter teaching or anything like that, it's like, hey, I know you mean this, but there's a better way of saying it. And it's also a reminder of like everyone learns differently as well. So you might mean it this one way. You might want to say it this one way, but you can actually say it another way as well for them to understand better or for them to
00:47:55
Speaker
absorb differently or something like that because not all of us understand the same thing the same way.
Tailored Teaching Techniques
00:48:03
Speaker
Definitely. I learned that the hard way. I figured out that I went through school really struggling and I thought it was because I went to lots of different schools but I actually found out when I was 16 that I was dyslexic.
00:48:15
Speaker
And the way that a teacher told me was, she said, Roxy, I think something is very wrong with you. Thank you. But I submitted a presentation that was 65 pages long, and everybody submitted one about 10 pages long.
00:48:31
Speaker
And she said, look, I can't actually get rid of one slide because they're all very important. And actually finding out that I was dyslexic at an older age made me appreciate it more and appreciate the time I got more and the support I got around that. And teachers also started explaining things in a different way to me and it just all started to click a bit better, whereas before it felt like I was always a rat race to catch up.
00:49:00
Speaker
But yeah, have you had anybody like that where they're sort of juggling everything and you're sort of calming them down, slowing them? I think Nathan's doing this to me on a daily basis. It's like Rob's pick one and go. Oh, a few of my friends, yep.
00:49:16
Speaker
Just because I've done so many different things back in my career as well too. Being a retail manager, I've done hiring, I've done payroll, I've done HR, all within the GM role. Plumbing a little bit from time to time as well too. Fixing a toilet.
00:49:38
Speaker
Like really? Changing light bulbs, doing fuses and things like that. I'm like, I did not sign up for this when I was thinking of clothing retail at first, y'all. We'll have to bring you back to talk about that one. Absolutely. Oh my gosh. I love talking about my retail time. It was so much fun as well too.
00:50:00
Speaker
But yeah, doing that, just because I have all those experiences back then, a lot of friends just come to me and say, hey, just confusing about what happened with this boss. It's like, what's going on? Or even they might come to me and say, hey, my kid is struggling with this. What do I do? I'm like, you don't do much. You don't have to do much. You have to let them struggle.
00:50:27
Speaker
or some of my friends is like trying to teach my little brother this I'm like family can't teach one another trust me you can't my brother tried to teach me did not work but yeah a lot of different things yeah like that sorry
00:50:45
Speaker
No, I'm one of five kids. I believe you there. Like I love my sister and my brother. They always tried so hard with me, but yeah, I know you lose patience so much quicker for some odd reason because you're a family, right? So it's like, okay, you see my side, like, you know, my personality. I'm like this. Why don't you get it? They do these type of things, right? And it's like, okay, you know what? I'm learning. You, you,
00:51:11
Speaker
can't force me that. So it's like, okay. And they can't step back from their brother or sister role, where it's kind of like, an outsider is like, okay, I know I can't be mean to you. So, you know, I can slowly teach you and say what I need to say in a different way. And a lot of kids hear it because it's different than what their parents say as well, too. So there are
00:51:37
Speaker
they are more lenient to absorb what you say because they're not, it's not common for them, right? So yeah, it's something new, something refreshing for them. It's very much someone else saying it as well. You know, I find that even with my husband now, I will be saying the same thing over and over again, but you know, his friend Alfonso will say something and he'll be like, oh, Rox, I had this great idea. And I'm like,
00:52:05
Speaker
It's like, were you not listening to me like two days ago? But it's like that. It's family, it's friends. And as soon as someone outside of the bubble starts teaching you something new or telling you something different, it's why tutors are important. It's why career coaches are important. It's why psychologists are important. Yep, therapist and everyone like that. Yep, definitely.
00:52:29
Speaker
Well, thank you so much for all of your beautiful information and gems of wisdom. Thank you. It's always a pleasure to chat about it and it's thank you for the opportunity. I'm so, I so treasured this. It's always fun to share my thoughts. I love to talk too much sometimes, but you know.
00:52:51
Speaker
That was always good. I love hearing everybody's career journeys. This is what I'm loving about this podcast and just seeing how everyone gets from A to B and where they find the passion in life. It's brilliant.
00:53:08
Speaker
You've been listening to Roxy and Nate. Thanks for tuning into A to Z Jobs. And always remember, it's your career and it's up to you to shape it. So dream big, make bold moves, stay curious and keep exploring. Check out our website at thecareerchangecoaches.com for more resources, tools and upcoming training. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Don't forget to subscribe and hit that notification bell. So you never miss an episode of A to Z Jobs. Remember your dream career could be just one episode away.
00:53:44
Speaker
Are you feeling inspired by everything you've learned today and ready to take the next step with your career change journey? Dive into our four-part career change made easy course. We'll help you gain career clarity, understand your transferable skills, and put them into play with application, negotiation, and interview advice. Head to careerchancoches.com.